- Dublin is English speaking and home to many tech EMEA headquarters.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: €40,904 for listed roles, €68,911 for other eligible roles.
- Either you or your employer can apply for the Critical Skills permit.
- Housing is tight and expensive.
Dublin is English speaking, which makes it the easiest place in the EU to work without learning a new language. Many of the world's largest tech companies run their European headquarters here. Ireland has its own permits, so the rules are different from Germany or the Netherlands.
Who hires internationally in Dublin
- European headquarters of global tech companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft and Salesforce.
- Payments and fintech, including Stripe.
- Pharma and medical devices, in Dublin and around Cork.
- Financial services around the International Financial Services Centre.
The fields with the most chances
- Software, data and cloud: the core of the Dublin tech scene.
- Sales and customer success for EMEA: often with a second European language.
- Pharma and life sciences: quality, regulatory and engineering roles.
- Finance, funds and compliance: fund administration and banking.
How far English gets you
All the way, because English is the main language. The challenge is the permit and competition. The Critical Skills Employment Permit needs at least €40,904 a year for roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List with a relevant degree, or €68,911 for other eligible roles, and you or your employer can apply (Department of Enterprise).
Search current English speaking jobs in Dublin on my live job board.
How I would approach Dublin
- Check the Critical Skills Occupations List. If your role is on it, the lower salary threshold applies.
- Apply to EMEA roles with languages. A second European language is a big advantage in Dublin.
- Look at Cork and Galway too. Pharma, medical devices and tech also hire outside Dublin.
- Plan for housing. Rent in Dublin is high and flats are scarce.
Common questions
Is Dublin good for Indians?
Yes for English speaking professionals in tech, pharma and finance, if the salary meets the permit rules.
Do I need a job offer to move to Ireland?
For the Critical Skills permit, yes.
Is Ireland in the EU Blue Card system?
No. Ireland uses its own employment permits.
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.